Mazda has given the RX8 a mid-life facelift, admittedly while only a mild evolution of the current model, it’s still worth a lookover to see what has changed.
The facelifted Mazda RX8 gets new front and rear bumpers on the outside, as well as new wheels. The chassis has been made more rigid through extra bracing. It also has a new rear suspension geometry. On the inside, the instrument panel now features an RPM meter with a variable red zone, much like what BMW has implemented for their M cars. This redzone starts at a low engine speed when the engine is first started up, and slowly moves up as the engine warms up.
Under the hood, the twin-rotor RENESIS 13B-MSP puts out 232 horsepower with a 6-speed manual transmission (with a new 4.444 ratio, down from 4.777), or 212 horsepower with a 6-speed Sport AT automatic. The engine revs all the way up to a 9,000rpm redline for the manual model, and 7,500rpm for the automatic.
There is an upgrade package called the R3 package which adds a rear spoiler, 19 inch forged aluminium wheels, Recaro seats, Bilstein shocks, a 300-watt Bose audio system, keyless entry and start, side skirts and fog lamps to the new facelifted RX8. The R3 name is a homage to the R1 and R2 packages offered on the RX7 FD.
More photos after the jump.
Click to enlarge
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Is it me or does the front starting to look alot like RX7FD….
for some reason the rear is ugly…
the rear lamp is overdone……somehow makes it look really weird.
I think it looks awesome! Then again, I’m totally bias towards this car…Renesis FTW!!
With only 2++ Hp it’s not a supercar, only a fast car. Need at least 4++ HP to be SUPER just like the new GT-R.
Is it just me or does the front look like the newly facelifted Porsche Cayenne???
The only thing I don’t like about the RX8 is how tall it looks in person. Of course I understand the extra height goes to interior room and the very usable rear seats..although the small rear windows makes for a claustrophobic feel in the back seat.
I nearly traded in my Eclipse for the then new RX8…but just couldn’t let go of my boost addiction….on top of having to deal with an 70hp deficit from the Renesis.
Hmm…..design cues from the MX-5 roadster :) Anyway It took me 3 years to appreciate the RX-8’s look, and when finally I think it’s so damn nice, a facelifted model has come out. This will take me another 3 years to like to look at :p Anyway The CX-7 just blew me away, the most fantastic thing i’ve seen on the road. Mazda makes the most desirable Japanese cars to me, and you really have to own one to realize how superior it is to it’s rivals
i like the engine…zooommm..zoommm
just a nice car :)
I do agree the front looks like the new Cayenne… especially the headlights. I like how the new rear lights look. Fancy stuff… like the bodykit…
I especially love how they integrated the Wankel design into the rims… sweet XD
somehow i think the current rear lights looks better… anyone?
one thing that rx8 attract me the most is the way the last door open… damn good…
RX8 is all that against of what RX7 is all about.
its not an iconic item
its not a treasured item
its not having the legendary status of of RX7
but, give me one. i’ll take it (lol. and also the petrol card, of course)
Well, the facelift has made it look even “taller”. They could have solved that problem by widening the car. I think the RX7 still has the sports car look and stance comparitively.
any idea about renesis fc?
i prefer the original design..the japs sometimes over do it with their face lift..
a nice car nevertheless, but will not buy one.. because the engine can be fragile and needs a lot of care…
gimme one, i’ll take in…trade in and buy another car or two… lolz..
:PPPPPP
I’d keep the rims, front lights and back bumper other exterior changes? scrapped :)
the grills are now gone~~good!
Twin but apart exhaust pipes, sure zooooooooooooooooooommmmmMMM!
the ground clearance looks a tad too high for the car imho
wow.. looks like r8 front bumper minus the leds
I heard the fuel quality in Msia is not up to the requirement (need RON 102 ?). Existing owners are facing problems which need regular servicing of the car bec of fuel quality we have here.
U can use the fuel use by aeroplane, helicopter. Ethanol also can be used…
Normally these fuel can be get from air-ports and race car centers.. They normally know it as aeroplane fuel or racing fuel..
The price is quite expensive, if i not mistaken is around RM5 above / liter… Ask around sunway and sepang for the fuel…
don’t like the rear spoiler, and i think they should change the hood since this is a facelifted model……
anyway, RX-8 is definitely a COOL car……
it looks like it can go offroad…
lolz !!!
kimmy said,
January 14, 2008 @ 9:24 am
Is it just me or does the front look like the newly facelifted Porsche Cayenne???
————————————————————
I second that lolz
Exactly my first impression too
The front lights seem like they’re almost taken straight from the refreshed Cayenne.
Whats that black piece of plastic on top of the grill?? Somewat ruins the look of the otherwise good lookin front end…
The bottom of the rear bumper makes the tail look kinda high and awkward, but overall a good job for a midlife facelift
RAZORCLAWZZ ur tottaly rite man.its far superior than the normal japanese suspects i own a mazda6 which in reality is a comfortable family sedan but even chics in beemers give me a thumbs up and pass commands across the table in a meet!..tottaly worth every single penny!
littlefire, you are referring to aviation gas, or “avgas” for short. its not exactly practical, considering rotary engines are super fuel guzzlers. you’d probably run out of gas before you can even find a place to refuel.
this color is not nice… maybe they have to make it white or red then it will be great…
it's looking better when it put under 2k colour